India’s batting maestro Virat Kohli struggled with his form in this year’s T20 World Cup, drawing criticism from former head coach Ravi Shastri after his semi-final performance against England in Barbados, where he failed to score.
Kohli, known for his dependable, high-pressure gameplay, couldn’t find his rhythm, prompting Shastri to comment on his batting approach.
“This is not Virat Kohli’s game. He should play according to situations and his natural game, then he can score quickly and catch up at the end. He is trying to manufacture shots. This is what you do when you are not in form,” Shastri remarked.
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Kohli’s performance was particularly notable as it marked his first subpar showing in a T20 World Cup semi-final. Historically, Kohli has been a linchpin in such crucial matches. In 2014, he scored an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls against South Africa. In 2016, he continued his stellar form with an unbeaten 89 off 47 balls against the West Indies. More recently, he showcased his composure with a steady 50 off 40 balls against England in 2022. In the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, however, Kohli has scored only 75 runs in seven innings with the highest score of 37, averaging 10.71.
Despite the criticism, Kohli’s legacy as a clutch performer remains intact, but his recent struggles highlight the challenges even the best players face. As India looks forward to the final against South Africa on Saturday, the focus will be on how Kohli adapts his game to regain his form and continue to be a cornerstone of the Indian team’s success.
